Kieran Foran will definitely join the Eels in 2016

Caption:SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 11: Kieran Foran of the Sea Eagles in action during the round six NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and the Manly Sea Eagles at Pepper Stadium on April 11, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Renee McKay/Getty Images)

It wasn't the first time a Manly player stole the headlines with contract speculation this season but unlike the Gold Coast Titans, the Parramatta Eels have got their man.

After weeks of "Will he? Won't he?" it was officially announced on Friday that Kieran Foran will honour his contract with the club and will be wearing the blue and gold next year.

While there may have been a lot of talk about Foran in the media it was never a big conversation topic for the Eels players.

Just a few hours before the signing was confirmed, Eels forward Pauli Pauli said he hadn't been thinking about it, while Brad Takairangi said it hadn't really affected the team.

"To be honest, it doesn't really affect us in the playing group," Takairangi said.

"It'll definitely be awesome for us to have him here. He's a great player. But he doesn't help us get two points this week or in any other game this year."

Until next year it's up to the current players to get competition points, something they've done well in recent weeks.

They upset their western Sydney rivals Penrith and defied expectations by knocking off the Melbourne Storm and the St George-Illawarra Dragons, giving them the boost they needed.

After defeating the Wests Tigers on Monday night, the Eels have now won three in a row and Takairangi is pleased with the direction they're heading.

"The effort's been there for the last couple of months and it's good to see the results coming our way," he said.

The Eels get another two points with a bye this weekend and the belief they can make the eight is starting to grow among them.

"Definitely, we've got all the confidence in the world in our playing group and our coaching staff and as long as we stick to our game plan and control the ball, we give ourselves the best chance of matching it with anyone in the comp," Takairangi said.